MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – DECEMBER 24: Sam LaPorta #87 of the Detroit Lions warms up prior to the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 24, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)

The Detroit Lions will have their rookie phenom tight end in the lineup for Sunday’s NFC Championship Game against the San Francisco 49ers.

Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, superstar tight Sam LaPorta has been taken off the injury report (knee injury) and will play in the NFC title game at Levi’s Stadium. Unfortunately, the team has declared guard Jonah Jackson and wideout Khalif Raymond out for Sunday, as both are dealing with knee injuries.

LaPorta suffered the injury in the Lions’ Week 18 regular season finale against the Minnesota Vikings. Despite the pain, he managed to play in the Lions’ first two postseason games — against the Los Angeles Rams and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Detroit’s rookie sensation had three receptions for 14 yards and a touchdown in the Wild Card Round win over the Rams, and nine receptions for 65 yards against Tampa Bay. The Lions are now set to play in their first NFC Championship Game since 1991— where they lost to Joe Gibbs’ and the dynastic Washington franchise.

LaPorta was one of football’s best rookies of 2023, finishing with 86 receptions for 889 yards and 10 touchdowns. Only Puka Nacua of the Rams (105 receptions) had more catches among first-year players, and LaPorta’s 10 TD receptions were tied with Jordan Addison of the Vikings for tops among rookies.

The winner of the NFC title game will face the victor of the Kansas City Chiefs-Baltimore Ravens AFC Championship tilt.

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